RBWords

     A colleague of mine once related the story of a preacher who thundered at his congregation: "The problem with this church is that there are too many Mary's and not enough Martha's!"  I don't think Jesus would agree!  This wonderful scene immediately follows the powerful parable of the Good Samaritan with its charge, "Go and do likewise!"  What Jesus says to Martha - "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things...." - is not a "put down." 

     Martha sits beside the Lord at his feet and listens to him speak.  This is the posture of a true disciple.  Hospitality is a sacred obligation in the Middle East, but Jesus is calling attention to the greater value of discipleship, which in turn is expressed in service.  Over the centuries, this scene has been often interpreted as a choice between "contemplative" and "active" Christian lifestyles.  But that interpretation misses the point of our common call to discipleship in baptism.  We can be true disciples as "contemplatives" or "actives" or [like Dominicans] "mixed."  Discipleship comes first.  Action follows being!  AMEN